makarios

Semantic range

1. 1blessed, in the sense of being in an enviable state
2. 2fortunate, happy — but not merely cheerful
3. 3used of the gods in classical Greek

The word that opens each Beatitude. It does not describe a mood; it pronounces a state of affairs — you are in a good position, whether or not it feels like it. That is why "blessed are they that mourn" is not a contradiction.

The 3 Nephi 12 version of the Sermon adds clauses that change the emphasis: "blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost" (3 Nephi 12:6), and "blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me" (12:3). The Book of Mormon consistently supplies the Christward direction the Greek leaves implicit.

See also

• πραΰςpraus
• δικαιοσύνηdikaiosynē
• εἰρήνηeirēnē